Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-04-25
Gully Eeuutbsf 9cnrnal.
AUGUSTA. Monday Morning, April 25.



come permanent and practical institu-
ton. This, in part, may have resulted
from the need Of some means by which
the naturally unclothed prairies might be
made TO become profitable. The first
state to institute Arbor Day was Nebraska,
where in very few years, the enormous
number of COS ,00O, 900 trees have been
planted Other States followed the ex-
ample set by this State though perhaps not
to SO great an extent. Among them. are
Pennsvlvanis and Massachusetts; the
former entering very enthusiastically into
the work designated for that day. There
may not be so great need for Maine to en-
gage in the work in the same manner as have
these States for she already has many
beautiful forests scattered over her entire
extent but vet there are sufficient reasons
why the day should be observed in the
way advised in the proclamation by the
Governor.
The constant destruction dealt our forests
by the woodman's axe is opening the way
for those dreaded calamities that so fire.
quently devastated the unprotected cities
and villages of the prairie States. With
the disappearance of our trees comes the
nearer invasion of the cyclone and tornado.
The growth of younger trees is not suf-
ficiently fast to keep pace with the havoc
created by our lumbermen. With little
inquiry aud observation. this fact can be
easily proved by noticing the dimensions
of timber sawed fifty years ago compared
with those of the present. Already the
smallest trees are utilized and there are
left only the stunted evergreens and the
ineffective striplings. AS a precautionary
measure against the devastating ele-
ments of nature itself, it would seem that
there was good reason for our citizens to
undertake this work
When considered also from sanitary
point of view. there is emphatically de-
mand for the presence OF we'll ordered
shade trees Stocking the house with pot
plants and stripping the land of trees is
not the surest method of gaining this end.
As the trees have been cut away, once
stable streams have been reduced to
mere rills combined together, these re-
suits have become powerful causes which
our citizens do not seem to comprehend
in their effects upon animal life. Nature
unaided by human efforts and care, even
if assisted by especial dispensations of
latent power. cannot alone obviate the re-
suits that are sure to follow. The already
"hard" atmosphere will harder grow and
disease will become hereditarily fixed
beyond the relief of the soft air of
Florida and California.
The cold, unappealing appearance of
many street in many Maine village
needs to be changed-to be warmed and
made attractive by the presence OF trees.
The influence of such baroness is very
degenerating. The appreciation of
natures objects is reduced to the minimum,
Notwithstanding all that may be said in
opposition. Surprise is not appreciation.
Beauty has not influence unless cognized
to that degree which renders one familiar
with its elementary parts. A home
adorned and beautified becomes dear to
the young especially in proportion to its
appealing influences The same is appli-
cable to the village. Village Improve
ment Associations have already begun the
work designated for this day, realizing the
importance of we'll shaded and tastefully
adorned streets.
This day has wisely been designed as
practical holiday tor the school children
of the State. 1t affords a partial means
for Graduating the Unborn tendency which
prompts destruction rather than creation
for the majority of children sooner
destroy shrub than promote its growth.
Were they trained to love nature in her
manifold forms, this common fault-for
fault it is-might in time be corrected.
The surest way to enlist the sympathies
of children is to give them part in the
work, an ownership if possible. BY some
means, let healthful emulation be stimu-
lated so that special attention may be
given to the tree that each may plant.
The minute details of its growth will be
carefully noted and every essential for its
development will be carefully studied.
Should school children make excursions
to the groves and there select their
trees. considerable practical information
might be obtained by an acquaintance with
the different kinds of trees. definitions of
which they have already learned in the
school-room it would in fact, increase the
interest in the study of botany and chem
istry. These and many other reasons may
demonstrate the ACCESSIBILITY of giving
children prominent place in the exer-
oises OF. this day.
The value of our grounds public or
private, will be greatly increased bv the
planting of shade and ornamental trees.
This view of the matter may have weight
with some. 1t is frequently asserted that
a street or house lot is Objectionable for
lack of this desirable feature. The older
IL